[Resuscitation and extravascular lung fluid in cardiac surgery]

Cardiovascular arrest may be followed by severe respiratory insufficiency due to an increase in the pressure in the pulmonary vascular system, an alteration in capillary permeability, or both. Extracorporeal circulation (ECC), on the other hand, can lead to a change in capillary integrity ('capillary leakage') caused by the unphysiologic perfusion patterns and/or activation of various mediator systems. Pulmonary hyperhydration (increased extravascular lung water [EVLW]) seems to be the most important factor limiting pulmonary function in this situation. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the influence of resuscitation in the period before ECC on pulmonary EVLW thereafter. Eight coronary surgery patients who had to be resuscitated in the period before the start of ECC due to cardiocirculatory arrest were compared to 8 patients without resuscitation selected randomly (control group). There were no differences between the two groups with regard to age, catheterization data, and ECC conditions. All patients underwent identical monitoring, including estimation of EVLW. Lung water measurement was performed by the thermal dye technique with indocyanine green (= non-diffusible indicator) dissolved in ice-cold dextrose (= diffusible indicator) and a bedside microprocessor before resusciation and after ECC (15 min, 45 min, 5h). Simultaneously, hemodynamics and parameters of pulmonary gas exchange were monitored. Baseline values of EVLW were comparable in both groups. After ECC a transient increase in EVLW could be demonstrated in the controls, indicating an altered fluid flux even in 'uncomplicated' courses; 5 h after ECC lung water content had again reached baseline values. In contrast, there was a significant increase in EVLW in the 'complicated group' immediately after ECC (+2.60 ml/kg) and 5 h after ECC (+1.38 ml/kg); in consequence, the paO2 was significantly decreased (-180 mmHg) while Qs/Qt was increased (+6.79%). It is concluded that the combination of two factors that potentially damage pulmonary tissue and increase lung water content (reanimation due to circulatory arrest and extracorporeal circulation) lead to a significant increase in extravascular lung water combined with a deterioration of pulmonary function, resulting in severe respiratory failure.